“When the public is coming to our union telling us there are long waits, with ambulances coming in from other places to cover Orange and our ambulances going to other areas to provide cover, how can the response times possibly add up?” he said.

Cr Taylor said Mr Gee and the state government were not factoring into their case the changing demographic of paramedics working in Orange and district.

“Any day of the week you will see an ambulance here from another area such as Parkes or Forbes, Molong or Blayney, and what happens to their communities?” he asked.

“Emergency departments in all the smaller places like Molong and Blayney are closed so there is much more pressure on ambulances to provide a service to surrounding towns and villages.

“As far as I’m concerned it is like shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic.”

* People wishing to tell the Central Western Daily about their experience with the Ambulance Service of NSW should email janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au or call 6391 2 915.

* People who would like to sign the petition can call in to the Central Western Daily or any Orange City Council-run facility in the city.